Nurse Expresses Concern over Houston Methodist Mandatory Vaccination Policy for Employees

BAYTOWN, Texas – A nurse for more than six years from Houston Methodist Baytown, who does not want to be identified, said that it is not in line with the hospital’s policy to request the vaccination of all employees for COVID-19.

“A lot of people are nervous. They think it’s too early to make it mandatory. It should be a choice. We just don’t feel comfortable. If we are not comfortable with that, do not force us to do it “, said the nurse.

In fact, the nurse created a petition that has about 100 signatures in support of the new policy which could mean termination if employees do not comply by June 7, unless they have an exemption for religious or medical reasons.

“We do not want to be threatened and assaulted right now. We want more research. We want more time. We want it approved by the FDA. ”

“It’s about protecting our patients, and we have a sacred obligation to protect our patients,” said Marc Boom MD, president and CEO of the Houston Methodist.

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Boom said of their nearly 26,000 employees, about 84 percent were vaccinated. He added at the end of the day that the policy was to keep people safe.

“COVID is a very dangerous disease for our employees, for their colleagues and especially for our patients, and we owe it to our patients to protect them,” Boom said.

“The EEOC is okay to ask for it, because it’s in the community’s interest,” said lawyer Sophia George.

But can a company ask you to be vaccinated specifically if the vaccines have been given an emergency use authorization only by the FDA?

George said legally speaking, I can.

“Just because it hasn’t already been approved by the FDA doesn’t mean it’s outside the scope of the employer to mandate this,” George said.